Blackheath Blackcats are out of this year’s New Era Cup premiership, following a clash within the club.
President Wayne Morgan said a pre-season blow-up between the coach and its players had resulted in a “disappointing” collapse of the Blue Mountains outfit.
Blackheath has been forced to withdraw from the 2017 New Era Cup premiership, leaving the second division competition with eight teams this winter.
The Blackcats boast a proud record in the mid-west competition, entering the premiership in 1975 and going on to play in 21 grand finals, winning three. The club has made the last three grand finals, winning in 2015.
Morgan’s been at the helm of the last 16 of those seasons as president but said he was stunned when he returned from a two-week overseas holiday to find his club essentially unravelling at the seams after coach Jed Jervis left Blackheath.
“We had a crisis meeting on Friday and nine players showed up. Nine isn’t anywhere near enough for a team,” Morgan said.
“It’s disappointing. We’ve been a competitive team in this competition for a long time.”
Morgan said it was tough for the smaller New Era clubs to compete for players against Group 10 teams. The Blackcats lost both Matt Ranse (Bathurst St Pat’s) and Ryan Jervis (Lithgow Workies) in the off-season.
Both players caught the eye of Group 10 clubs having played for Western’s under 21s side in October.
The club’s league tag girls will continue to play in 2017, but they’ll do so after a merger with Lithgow Giants’ league tag side.
Morgan was hopeful the club will be back in the draw in 2018.
“We’ve been through this before.”
- Western Advocate
